COMMUNITY GROUPS
What is the North Bethesda Transportation Center?
A brief history: the 1992 North Bethesda-Garrett Park Master Plan called
for the creation of a transportation management district in North Bethesda.
It took a few years of study and planning, and in 1995 the North Bethesda
Transportation Management District (TMD) was formed. Also known as the
North Bethesda Transportation Center (NBTC), its service area includes
commercial areas, both office and retail, and multi-family residential
areas. Our goals are to reduce traffic, thereby reducing emissions. The
NORTH BETHESDA TRANSPORTATION CENTER has an advisory committee made up
of representatives from businesses, civic associations, chambers of commerce
and local government. Funding comes from grants, parking meter fees and
fines, park & ride lot fees and permit revenue, and fees from new commercial
and multi-family residential development. Participation in our programs
is completely voluntary, and typically comes from employers with more than
25 employees, and owners of office buildings or retail complexes.
North Bethesda Transportation Center services
include the following:
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Customized Community Resource Packages -
We have all the bus schedules and transit information your community residents
need. You may want a display unit to keep in a central location, such as
a building lobby, or a community center. We can keep you supplied with
all the schedules or other commuter information your community desires.
Complete a Transit Request Form on-line or call
us at 301-770-8108 for information.
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Guaranteed Ride Home Program - this
is another FREE service available to you, courtesy of the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments (COG). Many people hesitate to carpool
or take public transportation to work because they are afraid of an emergency,
illness or unscheduled overtime. The answer is simple: Commuters who carpool,
vanpool, walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation to work at least
two days per week should call us and register for this program. It provides
very important peace of mind. Each participant can use the service up to
four times a year. For information, call the North Bethesda Transportation
Center at 301-770-8108 or e-mail us at info@nbtmd.org,
or to register directly with Commuter Connections call 1-800-745-RIDE (7433).
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Ridesharing Service -Save 50% on commuting
costs instantly by sharing the ride to work! We can match you with neighbors
in your community for a carpool or vanpool. Complete a Rideshare
Form on-line or call us at 301-770-8108 for information.
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Bicycling
- RIDE ON is bike-friendly, with bike racks installed on the front
of most of its buses. Many employers have added bike racks and bike lockers
for their employees. Using your bicycle for any transportation need, or
for recreation, is a great idea. It's healthy for you and for the environment,
and is economical too.
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Metrorail has a
Bike-on-Rail program. Bikes are allowed on Metro trains Monday
through Friday from 10am to 2pm and after 7pm to closing. However, you
must first take a test to obtain a permit that will allow you to take your
bike on Metrorail. The North Bethesda Transportation Center is a permit
processing and testing center. Please call 301-770-8108 for an appointment,
and to have us send you the information you need to read before taking
the test.
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FREE BIKE RACKS are available for public
property and public right of way areas by calling the right office in the
Montgomery County's Division of Transit Services for an application. Their
number is 240-777-7200. The County's goal is to give another group of people
(bicyclists!) better access to public transportation. There are over two
hundred bike racks on their way to the County and headed for installation
in public areas, parks, libraries, and government buildings.
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Code Red-Ride Free Program - Days with
unhealthful air quality, caused by high levels of ozone, are declared "Code
Red" by the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments (COG), during the summer COG reports
the ozone forecast daily. When a Code Red day has been declared; you ride
for FREE. That's right - the Montgomery County Ride On is FREE ALL DAY.
Free rides are offered on some Metrobus routes as well, all in the interest
of encouraging people to leave their cars, and car fumes, at home.